Bible Thoughts

January 14, 2001

With this challenge, Joshua would begin the closing of his life and his leadership role among the Hebrews. He had been with them through the wilderness; he had suffered as they suffered; he understood their wants and their needs; above else, he understood they were God's people and they should behave in a manner that pleases the Lord. The right choice was to serve the Lord, as did Joshua.

Joshua did not tell them that it did not make any difference whom they chose. He told them the choices; they had to make the decision. They had to choose between idolatry and the one true God. Their response was, "...we will serve Jehovah; for he is our God"(Joshua 24:18). It made a difference whom they chose!

Even though men may cry otherwise, it makes a difference today as to what is chosen in religion. Your choice will determine whether you please God or please yourself, your family, or your friends. The people of Joshua's day knew the seriousness of their choice. So it is to be today.

Where you to need a lawyer, would you accept one who says, "It does not make any difference what law you choose?" When you need a lawyer, you choose one who will defend your case and arrive at the truth using the law in the books. It will make a difference in the courtroom as to who defends or argues your case.

When you are concerned about your health and welfare, it makes a difference what physician you decide to choose to be your medical guide. When it comes to your physical well-being, you desire to have the one that knows how to treat your case. The physician must be licensed, competent, experienced, etc., before your risk your own health. No quacks here: right? It makes a difference who looks after your physical body.

When you take a prescription to be filled, you are putting trust in the druggist and you want one who will follow the directions of the physician to the letter. No guessing, no substitution, no adjustment; just do it like the doctor ordered. Your choice is based on the competency of the one who prepares your medicine. Fill it like it says! It makes a difference who fills your prescription(and how) .

If you choose to sell property, you would seek out a real estate dealer who is qualified to see that the property is appraised correctly, the papers are in order, and everything is proper. No fly-by-night charlatan will be acceptable. You want it done so that no legal challenge can disrupt the sale. It makes a difference who sells your property.

When it comes to religion, something more serious than any of the situations listed above, one must choose, but it must be the right choice. There will be no second chances in eternity. What is chosen in this life will determine one's fate in the next life.

Do not be misled by Satan's messengers. One must believe the truth, obey the truth, be added to the Lord's church and live a faithful life. The only choice for salvation is living the life of a Christian as a member of the church of Christ as set forth in the New Testament.

My friend, what is your choice for eternity? The truth of the New Testament or the commandments of men in denominational churches? Only you can make that choice.

The human perception of reality is inaccurate at best. Flawed by the delusions of minds which are blind by the teachings of this world and chalked full of improper reasoning as a result, the imperfect human individual is incapable of making completely accurate conclusions regarding the events and experiences of life. Can one ever know all of the events that effect any one given situation? The preliminary events and the aftereffects of a situation are infinite in number, something which the finite human mind cannot fully ascertain. Thus, as a result of inevitably skewed perceptions, the perceived human experience is not a permissible basis for establishing truth.

How then, since man is incapable in and of himself, is he to properly establish truth? Is it even possible to determine what is truth and what is only a biased viewpoint of reality? Logically speaking, since the answer does not lie within himself, he will have to find another source not of man.

Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life.” (John 14:6). His perspective is the true reality. Through his perfect and sinless life Jesus proved himself different from any man that has ever lived. Though tempted and tried, henever twisted reality to be something which it was not. He spoke truth and expected the same of those around him. Jesus is not of this world and his word is a truth which transcends man’s earthly viewpoint. He has the full awareness of reality including the small part of it which is creation. He has extended access to that wisdom to each who would determine to follow him.

When it is time to make a decision regarding any and all of the situations that life throws at us, we need to remember that we do not have to rely upon our flawed selves for the answers. We have a perfect guide who can see through the fog of misperceptions and point us toward the truth. He does this through his word. “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God...that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). He has already given us the tools to find the truth, now it is just up to us whether we desire to see it or not.-Joe Cook